"SIXTY, really?"

I really can't believe my mother is 60. It doesn't add up or make sense to me. If she is 60, then that would make me 30,and Cindy 32, and Joe 28, and Scott 40......and that doesn't add up either. My mom explained to me at this joyous event that she certainly doesn't feel it. That it is an out of body experience to think of being that number. I feel the same about 30. She will always be somewhere around 45 to me....and I will be always be around 25..... for the rest of our lives (although I feel like I have been 30 since I was 20...does that make sense?). 60 is just a number....one that I just can't quite grasp yet, and don't have to because she is really only 45. Okay, I'll stop being confusing and get on with the good stuff.

This is us.

Joe is always very serious....and very tall. We call him Professor Stuff Knower because he is freakishly educated on the world around him. He is one long episode of CNN and Discovery Channel. He should have his own website called AskJoe.com.

Cindy always looks like a playboy goddess, but is tougher than a Marine on steroids. She works 3 jobs and has three kids. Know one know how she is still sane. Her sarcasm and toughness are unmatched. Don't mess with her, or any of us, or you are goin' down.

Then there's Scott. Scott is a comedian, and we are not sure he has a serious bone in his body. He is on his own imaginary stage 24/7 (should be a real one) and if you try to get serious for a second....he will inevitably turn your seriousness into rediculousness. He is a 21 year old boy trapped in a 40 year old's body, and we can't imagine him any other way. Life is way to funny for serious. (Can you tell by his "Enrique Iglesias" pose?He really can't be serious...really.)

Then there's MOM. Mom is the most genuine, patient person you will ever meet. Not only did she raise four very high maintnance kids, but she is still raising her fifth...her man-child husband, Cliff. We joke that God created my mom for Cliff because He knew that only she has the patience for someone that difficult. She is the most loving human on earth, and only spoke positive words to us growing up (except for the occasional "speaking in chinese" rant that would occur when all 4 of us would drive her crazy at once.) Everyone knows she is hysterically self depricating, funny, sweet, outspoken, and has the biggest heart and the best intentions for everything she does and everyone she meets. What people don't know is that she is a tremendously talented writer and speaker, she was Homecoming Queen at Georgia Tech in the early 70's, and she has a very close nit group of best girl-friends who still travel together twice a year. They are called the FITS girls....Fun.In.The.Sun. and they have a blast an attract audiences everywhere they go. She has so many "fans" in her life that she doesn't even know about. People love her. It's hard not to.

Then there's me.

I'll get to the point......my family knows how to party. When we get together...there is constant laughter and LOUDNESS, flowing red vino, great food (compliments of our personal chef, Eric) and the occasional dance party. We have been known to break out 80's rock and dance our fannies off......small children flying everywhere and jumping on couches and tables. It's not normal to have this much fun with your family, but we manage. We often talk about winning the super huge lottery and building a street that we all live on.....secluded from the outside world.
We've even agreed that Joe would get the ticket because he is the most responsible (and he is not married....so no one could divorce him and take half...LOL), and he could safely divide the money so that everyone has what they need.

Mom...I'm sorry we smushed your face in this photo....but you are still cute.

I know mom....SIXTY. It's hard to believe, but it's just a number.

And what would a party be without Kaitlin's traditonal smashing of the face in the cake. It's just one of her quirks...she is a member of my family, right? What do you expect?

And then there's this. I woke up the next morning to this. This is my kitchen table...which clearly has chocolate cake smashed on it....just sitting there....all night. Why? How did no one notice before we went to bed? I couldn't help but laugh at this sight. It's just so random, but not at all surprising.

Happy 45th Birthday MOM! We love you more than words!

(I know....your birthday was the 21st, but am I ever on time for anything? Why start now?)